What Is A Disciple Or An Apostle?

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whirlwind

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Nov 8, 2007
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Disciples ~ to become a pupil; train. to disciple, ie. enroll as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach

Apostles #649, 652 ~ set apart, i.e. to send out (prop. on a mission); a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ [apostle] (with miraculous powers):- apostle, messenger, he that is sent.


From the descriptions given of the two, disciple and apostle, I would think that becoming an apostle was after being a disciple however....it appears the apostles are, or can be, disciples at the same time.


Luke 6:13 And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles.

Peter was among those He named as an apostle. Later....

Matthew 26:36-37,40 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (40) And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Was He addressing the apostle Peter there as one of the disciples? It appears to be for the apostles were later referred to as disciples.....

Matthew 28:15-17 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

Perhaps it means that He sends His apostles and prophets as ambassadors of the Gospel but....as they never stop learning they are still disciples.


.
 

brionne

Active Member
May 31, 2010
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Australia
Disciples ~ to become a pupil; train. to disciple, ie. enroll as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach

Apostles #649, 652 ~ set apart, i.e. to send out (prop. on a mission); a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ [apostle] (with miraculous powers):- apostle, messenger, he that is sent.


From the descriptions given of the two, disciple and apostle, I would think that becoming an apostle was after being a disciple however....it appears the apostles are, or can be, disciples at the same time.


Luke 6:13 And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles.

Peter was among those He named as an apostle. Later....

Matthew 26:36-37,40 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. (40) And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Was He addressing the apostle Peter there as one of the disciples? It appears to be for the apostles were later referred to as disciples.....

Matthew 28:15-17 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

Perhaps it means that He sends His apostles and prophets as ambassadors of the Gospel but....as they never stop learning they are still disciples.


.
I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head.

The Greek word for disciple is 'mathetes' it means 'one who directs his mind to something'...ie a student.
And Apostle is 'apostolos' and means simply to “sent forth” or "sent off"

So your right, the Apostles were given the commission to go forth and preach. But at that same time they were also still disciples/learners in that Jesus was their teacher.

Actually, even Jesus is called an 'apostle' in Hebrews 3:1 The word used in this verse is 'apostolos' so Paul refers to Jesus as an apostle....one sent forth from God.
 

whirlwind

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Nov 8, 2007
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I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head.

The Greek word for disciple is 'mathetes' it means 'one who directs his mind to something'...ie a student.
And Apostle is 'apostolos' and means simply to “sent forth” or "sent off"

So your right, the Apostles were given the commission to go forth and preach. But at that same time they were also still disciples/learners in that Jesus was their teacher.

Actually, even Jesus is called an 'apostle' in Hebrews 3:1 The word used in this verse is 'apostolos' so Paul refers to Jesus as an apostle....one sent forth from God.



I didn't realize that! Thank you Pegg.

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
 

6stringedsignseeker

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Mar 10, 2010
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I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head.

The Greek word for disciple is 'mathetes' it means 'one who directs his mind to something'...ie a student.
And Apostle is 'apostolos' and means simply to “sent forth” or "sent off"

So your right, the Apostles were given the commission to go forth and preach. But at that same time they were also still disciples/learners in that Jesus was their teacher.

Actually, even Jesus is called an 'apostle' in Hebrews 3:1 The word used in this verse is 'apostolos' so Paul refers to Jesus as an apostle....one sent forth from God.
Hey I never realized that Jesus was called an apostle  :blink: That's a cool little tidbit of information :D Thanks for pointing that out!
 

Martin W.

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Jan 16, 2009
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Whirlwind

I am not going to give you a precise comment on this topic , but my thoughts always go to the fact that the Apostles (the 12) were given mandates that often do not apply to us. In spite of that we sometimes think we Christians should have the same attributes as the apostles along with the powers they were given.

I think some unintentional misunderstandings in Christianity arise when we feel we are all apostles. It is good for us to aim that high but we should not lose heart if we do not always succeed. Maybe we should just be content believing the Apostles teachings. (ie: Disciples ~
to become a pupil;)

Just a few thoughts of mine on the subject. I have always felt that the Apostles (the 12) were a "set apart group" and not necessarily us.

Even the close of revelation mentions the new Jerusalem (from heaven) having 12 foundations containing the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. I think it is chapter 21.

Just some of my thoughts. I feel it is important for us to know clearly how we believers fit (or don't fit) in the apostle category.

Thanks. I look forward to anyone who can point out differences and similarities between us and the 12.

I think this is an interesting and important topic. I am fairly busy right now but will pop in from time to time to see how others feel about it.

Martin.